Condor cuts 4 US routes to Frankfurt by 2025

German leisure carrier Condor is slashing its US route map by 2025.

This week, the airline notified four US airports of its plans to cut seasonal nonstop service from Frankfurt.

Next year, the airline will end flights from its German base city to San Antonio International Airport (SAT), Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

As part of the network revamp, Condor is also cutting two additional North American routes to Edmonton and Halifax in Canada.

The court ruling prompted the change

As it cuts its 2025 North American plans, Condor quote A recent ruling by the German supreme court seems likely to reduce passenger numbers in the new year.

As part of antitrust regulations in Germany, national airline Lufthansa was required to allow Condor passengers flying to Frankfurt to connect seamlessly on Lufthansa flights. That rule essentially gave American passengers access to almost all of Germany by booking with Condor.

But a recent ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice overturned those rules, Condor said in announcing the route cuts.

“This is not a decision we take lightly,” Condor chief commercial officer Jens Boyd said in a statement Monday. “We deeply regret the loss of connectivity and service this will cause.”

San Antonio just lost European service

The removal of Condor’s services is a particular blow to San Antonio, where Just saw the airline launch direct flights to Frankfurt this year — the first (and only) direct route to Europe.

Now, it appears San Antonio passengers will again be without nonstop transatlantic options in 2025, barring another carrier from announcing service.

As of now, SAT’s only international services include about half a dozen short flights to Mexico.

Airport Director Jesus Saenz, Jr. “We will continue our efforts to expand direct service from SAT,” said in a statement. “Our community has long requested service to Europe and last summer’s numbers demonstrated that we have a market that can sustain non-stop service.”

Read more: Condor’s premium economy A330neo review: Is it worth the extra cost?

Condor’s growth in the US was interrupted

Condor’s retreat in North America followed breakneck transatlantic growth in recent years.

According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, total seats between the US and Germany are up 50% in 2024 compared to 2023. That’s after growing at a 30% pace a year earlier.

Condor’s colorfully striped planes are unmistakable, and its flights are available not only to travelers willing to pay for a seat but also to passengers who use points and miles. For example, the carrier has a frequent flyer relationship with Alaska Airlines, allowing Mileage plan members to redeem their Alaska miles on Condor flights.

Through summer 2025, travelers can still fly Condor to Frankfurt from nine U.S. cities, including eight in the continental United States, and from Anchorage, Alaska.

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